The company intends to hire new engineers to replace those who have left openings. Internal sources have characterized this redeployment as a significant setback, highlighting that many of the impacted engineers had undergone specialized training overseas. Some of these engineers might also be relocated to work at Dangote operations in other countries.

“The workers will move to sugar, cement, and other business units. The company invested heavily in their training, and many of them were part of the commissioning phase. Losing that experience hurts, but protecting the refinery comes first,” an official said.

Several engineers who have been impacted by recent changes have already been offered positions by international companies that recognize their skills and expertise. In response to worries about salary inequalities, a consultant clarified that it is typical for there to be differences in pay between expatriate and Nigerian engineers at the beginning phases of substantial projects.

A consultant said, “Every new industrial operation brings in global experts before fully transitioning to local staff. Refinery operations differ from upstream oil exploration, so salary structures cannot be compared.”

Insiders have revealed that the redeployment process is currently underway and being managed on a case-by-case basis. Once this process is finalized, certain engineers will assume new positions within Dangote’s locations both within Nigeria and internationally.